AUSTIN, Texas—A former Texas governor, a food market executive, a library association president and several prominent professors will be among the speakers featured during fall commencement 2005 ceremonies Dec. 9-11 honoring graduating students at The University of Texas at Austin.
Former Gov. Ann Richards, who was elected in 1990 to serve as the 45th governor of Texas, will speak at 6 p.m. on Dec. 9 to graduates from the College of Liberal Arts. The various colleges and schools host the convocation ceremonies at which Richards and other speakers will talk. The convocations are occasions when these components celebrate their graduates’ achievements with individualized honors and traditions. They also provide photo opportunities for candidates’ families. The new Jackson School of Geosciences will host its inaugural commencement ceremony as a part of the weekend festivities. Fall graduation activities do not include a university-wide commencement ceremony.
In honor of graduating students receiving their degrees at fall commencement ceremonies, the university’s Tower will be lighted orange with “05” displayed on all sides of building windows Dec 9-11.
The convocation activities include:
Friday, Dec. 9
- 6 p.m. – College of Liberal Arts, Frank Erwin Center. Speaker: Ann Richards, former governor of Texas.
Saturday, Dec. 10
- 9 a.m. – Graduate Studies, doctor’s degree and master’s degree candidates. Bass Concert Hall, Performing Arts Center. Speaker: Dr. Sheldon Ekland-Olson, provost of The University of Texas at Austin.
- 9 a.m. – College of Engineering (graduate and undergraduate students), Frank Erwin Center. Speaker: Dr. Jack Randall, founder and former president and CEO of Randall and Dewey, Inc. of Houston.
- 10:30 a.m. – School of Nursing, Lyndon B. Johnson Auditorium. Speaker: Dr. Nona Niland, M.D., a physician and a member of the School of Nursing Foundation Advisory Council.
- 10:30 a.m. – School of Social Work, Hogg Auditorium. Speaker: Lauren E. Karchmer, a senior student chosen by her peers to speak at the event.
- Noon – College of Education, Bass Concert Hall, Performing Arts Center. Speaker: Dr. O.L. Davis Jr., the Catherine Mae Parker Centennial Professor in Education, The University of Texas at Austin.
- Noon – School of Information (graduate and undergraduate students), Avaya Auditorium in Applied Computational Engineering and Sciences Building (ACES 2.302). Speaker: Gretchen McCord Hoffman, president of the Texas Library Association and an attorney at the law firm of Fulbright and Jaworski.
- 12:30 p.m.- College of Communication (graduate and undergraduate students), Frank Erwin Center. Speaker: Dr. James A. Mackin Jr., chair of the Department of Communication, Tulane University.
- 1 p.m. – Jackson School of Geosciences (graduate and undergraduate students), Don R. Boyd Auditorium in the Geology Building (GEO 2.324). Speaker: William R. Muehlberger, professor emeritus from the Department of Geological Sciences and the Peter T. Flawn Chair Emeritus from the Department of Geological Sciences.
- 2 p.m. – College of Fine Arts, Hogg Auditorium. Speaker: Gordon Peacock, the Frank C. Erwin Jr. Centennial Professor Emeritus in Drama, The University of Texas at Austin, and professor emeritus of the University of Alberta Drama Department.
- 7 p.m. – School of Architecture (graduate and undergraduate students), Goldsmith Hall Mebane Gallery. Speaker: Dr. Frederick Steiner, dean of the School of Architecture.
Sunday, Dec. 11
- 10 a.m. – McCombs School of Business, Frank Erwin Center. Speaker: Scott McClelland, president of Central Market and HEB Houston.
- 2:30 p.m. – College of Natural Sciences, Frank Erwin Center. Speaker: To be announced.
Parking for commencement activities is free in designated areas on a first come, first served basis. On Friday, Dec. 9, all university parking garages will be available as well as campus lots marked “C” Parking. On Saturday, Dec. 10 and Sunday, Dec. 11, with the exception of spaces marked “At All Times,” all university parking garages and most surface lots are available.
Parking garages are at the following locations:
- San Jacinto Garage (SJG) – on the east side of San Jacinto Boulevard, just north of 24th Street.
- Brazos Garage (BRG) – northeast corner of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Brazos Street.
- Twenty-Seventh Street Garage (TSG) – southeast corner of University Avenue and 27th Street.
- Manor Garage (MAG) – southeast corner of Robert Dedman Drive and Clyde Littlefield Drive.
- Speedway Garage (SWG) – southwest corner of Speedway and 27th Streets.
- Trinity Garage (TRG) – southeast corner of Trinity Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
For more information contact: Robert D. Meckel, Office of Public Affairs, 512-475-7847.
